Frequently Asked Questions

Q. IS AN ELECTRIC SCOOTER RIGHT FOR ME?

A.Of course, that is a very personal question and there are a huge number of reasons to consider. All XP- and XM-series electric scooters fall under the bicycle category and that makes them very practical urban transportation avoiding city traffic congestions and parking fees..

Q. HOW FAST CAN A MOTORINO SCOOTER GO?

A.All of our XP- and XM-series scooters are considered power-assisted bicycles and as such are limited by regulations to 32kph (20 mph) top speed. Their class, however, allows you to ride on the side of the traffic and in many cases beat the cars or public transport.

Q. DOES A MOTORINO XP­Series SCOOTER REQUIRE INSURANCE?

A.XP- or XM-Series scooters require neither a driver’s license nor insurance under Canadian and American federal law. Some provinces and states may have restrictions on powered bicycles so it is best to check with local authorities if unsure. It is up to the customer to buy their own theft or liability insurance. The insurance has to be purchased through the house insurance company.

Q. 500 WATTS DOESN’T SOUND LIKE MUCH, IS IT ENOUGH?

A. Our CCT Drive System produces 66 to 80Nm of torque at zero rpm (a standing start). Although the top speed is restricted according to regulations, an accelerate faster to that speed than a 50cc gasoline­powered scooter.

Q. I SEE ESCOOTERS RANGING FROM 48V TO 72V AND EVEN MORE. IS THERE AN OPTIMAL VOLTAGE?

A.A higher voltage is useful when higher power output and more speed is required. It is all about maximizing the efficiency when the main priority is the torque. When the speed and the nominal power are limited, the torque could be maximized only when the current is increased. With higher voltage, the current must be reduced and the motor must be coiled for low speed to meet the limitations of continuous power and maximum speed. Having an extra load of 15Lb for 72V system or 30Lb for 84V additionally restricts uphill performance and generates higher losses. The benefits of the higher voltage are the longer range that can be achieved due to added capacity. However, having 50% more capacity is not equivalent to 50% more range because the electrical losses due to the 50% more weight are exponentially factored with the incline grade. And even worse – the lower current would further reduce the torque. Additionally, larger than 60V lead-acid batteries makes the scooters very heavy, and thus, hard to handle. Therefore we consider an optimal voltage for electric scooters with Lead-Acid batteries to be between 48 and 60V. It would be very expensive if 72V high capacity Lithium batteries are used as a standard at this time.

Q. HOW DOES RIDING AN ELECTRIC MOTORINO SCOOTER COMPARE TO A SIMILAR GASOLINE-POWERED SCOOTER?

A. Electric scooters have several major advantages over gasoline machines: – The Sine­Wave controllers makes the motor completely silent – Full torque available at 0 rpm – No poisonous exhaust fumes or fuel vapours (You could even park one in your living room!) – No hot exhaust pipes – Considerably lower maintenance – No gas­powered scooter can be operated legally without insurance and a driver`s license

Q. WHAT IS THE MAXIMUM RANGE OF A FULLY CHARGED MOTORINO?

A. The standard 60V/20Ah lead­acid battery pack, when new, can carry a 200lb rider 40­45 km under normal riding conditions. In ideal conditions, a rider maintaining steady speed on flat ground can cover up to 50km. Please consider that range is highly dependent on many factors (such as: payload weight, tire inflation, topography, riding style, etc) and that most EV vendors will exaggerate their range specs. Please don’t mistake our honesty for an inferior drive system; ours is one of the best in the industry.

Q. WHAT HAPPENS IF I RUN OUT OF BATTERY OR HAVE A FLAT TIRE?

A. Each bike has a battery indicator that helps you track the traveling distance. As of 2016, all Motorino electric scooters come with one year North America wide road­side assistance. They can be transported free of charge within 40km distance. As for flat tires, each Motorino scooter is equipped with tubeless motorcycle grade tires that are much more durable than bicycle tires. If you happen to have a flat tire, however, there is a portable compressor and kit for instant tire repair included in each scooter.

Q. CAN THE RANGE OF A MOTORINO SCOOTER BE INCREASED?

A. A lithium battery pack is available as an option or upgrade and is the most ideal way to increase range. Our 25AH LiFePO4 battery pack will give 65km under normal conditions and up to 75km on level ground, plus weight of the lead­acid pack.

Q. HOW MUCH DOES IT COST TO CHARGE THE BATTERY ON A MOTORINO XP- or XM-­Series?

A. The standard MOTORINO battery pack holds just under one kilowatt­hour of electricity. Factoring­ in the small charging losses, it works out to about 10 cents at BC Hydro`s 1st ­tier rates. Per kilometer, that is about 0.25 Cents ($0.0025)!

Q. CAN A MOTORINO XP- or XM-­Series SCOOTER HANDLE STEEP HILLS?

A. Thanks to our CCT Drive System, XP­Series scooters can push a 170lb rider (without cargo) up gradients as steep as 24% (15 degrees). On such a steep hill even a gas powered scooter would slow down considerably, but with the introduction of the more efficient Sine-­Wave controllers, the speed of a Motorino scooter would drop no more than 30% with the Lead­Acid batteries and 20% with the Lithium­Ion battery. Their negligible “voltage sag“ and lower weight means that bikes powered by lithium batteries will usually be much peppier on hills.

Q. WHAT IS THE POINT OF THE PEDALS?

A. Those determined to do so can pedal their e-­scooters to assist the motor and increase range however the pedals are there primarily to satisfy legal requirements. The regulations allowing them to be operated without license or insurance require that pedals remain attached and functional while an electric bike is in operation.

Q. ARE MOTORINO XP and XM-­Series SCOOTERS WATERPROOF?

A. While you can’t ride underwater, you’ll be fine in even the most torrential downpour. As a Vancouver ­based company we know a few things about riding in the wet. Our prototypes undergo testing in rain simulation cells to ensure water resistance. That said, the battery charger must be kept dry at all times.

Q. WHY IS A MOTORINO MORE EXPENSIVE THAN SOME OTHER ELECTRIC SCOOTERS I'VE SEEN?

A. Since they are considered bicycles by law, sub-­500W electric scooters don’t need to be built to motor ­vehicle standards and so corners are cut to achieve a low price. Despite this, we build our XP- and XM-­Series scooters with materials and components which would satisfy Canadian motor vehicle standards, as well as offer generally better quality and performance features such as front and rear hydraulic disc brakes, DOT ­Spec tires, and the overbuilt CCT Drive System. Another factor in pricing is the after­sales support. MOTORINO bikes are backed by the best warranty and largest spare ­parts inventory in Canada.

Q. WHICH XP- or XM-­Series SCOOTER IS BEST FOR ME?

A.Since all Motorino scooters share the same fundamental powertrain and design, your decision will likely be based on visual appeal and practical matters such as seat height, cargo storage compartment capacity, security, and whether or not the battery pack is user-removable/swappable. For detailed specs on each Motorino scooter, visit our scooter product pages. Of course, to really know which one is the best fit for you, you’ll need to take a test ride..

Q. CAN A MOTORINO XP­series SCOOTER BE MODIFIED FOR HIGHER SPEED AND/OR TORQUE?

A.All XP- and XM- series Motorino scooters are electronically governed to maintain a maximum 32 kph speed. Any unauthorized modification of the scooter will void its warranty. Since they are already as fast and powerful as regulations allow, a “boosted” scooter will also be an illegal one. Such bikes can be impounded by law enforcement and riders charged with operating an unregistered and uninsured motor vehicle..